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Few people know that Andy was an opal collector! Andy’s fascination with opal began in 1970 when Australian artist Laurence Hope showed him his prized opal pendant at a reception in London. After Andy Warhol’s death in 1987 Jewellery pieces from his collection were auctioned off by Sotheby’s of New York which included a cushion shaped black opal with blue green hues and surrounded by 8 diamonds and 14 carat – gold quatrefoil mounting.

Elvis Presley loved opal Jewelry and had many Opal rings in his collection. One of Elvis’s favorite rings was sold to him in the 1970’s by his Memphis jeweler. The 14 carat gold ring included a 24x20mm Opal surrounded by 34 full cut diamonds. Another ring he wore was a 14 carat vintage ring set with a huge crystal opal surrounded by 1.25 carat diamonds. With a color photograph of Elvis wearing the ring on his pinky finger on stage at the Las Vegas Hilton in July 1974.

To celebrate the first visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Australia in1954 the South Australian Government decided to present her with an Opal. The Opal was set by renowned jeweler Wendt with 150 diamonds into an 18 carat palladium necklace which remains in her majesty’s private collection.

John Davison Rockefeller America's first billionaire and a great industrialist founded Standard Oil and revolutionized the petroleum industry. He is often regarded as the richest person in history and as having defined the structure of modern philanthropy. Rockefeller was taken by the alluring charms of Opal gemstones and had to have the mesmerizing 'Fire Queen' Opal for which he paid £75,000, a record (at that time) for an Opal. His collection of rare and famous Opal gemstones and jewelry were viewed personally by Rockefeller regularly as the opals gave him inspiration.

Elizabeth Taylor was famous for her love of precious stones and was an avid Opal collector, one who didn’t stop at buying jewelry featuring the precious stone for herself – she was known for gifting Opal Jewelry to family and friends. She personally commissioned Norah Pierson to create her iconic blue/green Australian boulder opal and 18K gold earrings

Empress Josephine of France: Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte gifted his first wife, Empress Josephine (1763 – 1814) with an Opal called the “Burning of Troy”. In 1914, 100 years after Josephine’s death, the Gemstone was acquired by the city of Vienna in Austria. The magnificent Opal vanished again during World War 2 and has not reappeared.

THE FASCINATION CONTINUES TODAY WITH OPAL JEWELRY REGULARLY IN THE SPOTLIGHT. MODERN DAY CELEBRITIES CONTINUE TO LOVE THE “TIMELESS” OPAL GEMSTONE.

Claire Danes, Taylor Swift, Michelle Monaghan, Busy Phillips, Cate Blanchett, and Jennifer Hudson are just some of the female celebrities who are often seen fashioning gorgeous opal jewelry.

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